Families and communities with high-speed Internet access are expected to benefit from $202,063 in upgrades from provincial government taxpayer dollars that will speed up and expand their Internet service and remove bottlenecks.
A grant of $72,000 will finance an extension of the fibre optic network that is expected to improve service and relieve congestion on the current radio link from Little Shuswap to Chase.
When complete, the new system is expected to increase speeds and capacity for more than 1,700 people and provide new access to more than 250 homes that currently have no service.
Some of the communities expected to see service improvements once the project is complete include: North Shuswap, Lee Creek, St. Ives, Little Shuswap Indian Band, and Chase.
An additional $130,063 has been provided to build a fibre optic network connecting the residents of Sunnybrae.
This new network will connect residents with high-speed Internet, phone and TV service.
More than 600 residents will have access to the new service.
“This upgrade to our region’s digital infrastructure will help ensure local families and communities better take advantage of economic and educational opportunities available in today’s online world,” Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo said.